10 Accredited Colleges Without GPA Requirements in 2025

If your high school GPA falls below the traditional admissions threshold, this updated 2025 guide lists 10 of the accredited U.S. colleges and universities that do not enforce a minimum GPA requirement. Many of these institutions, especially the ones that are online and open-access, offer holistic or alternative admissions pathways based on essays, life experience, interviews, or academic potential.

What Is GPA (Grade Point Average) and Why Colleges Use It

GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a standardized way of summarizing a student’s academic performance, which is usually calculated on a 0.0 to 4.0 scale. Some schools also calculate a weighted GPA, which can go up to 5.0 if advanced coursework like AP or IB classes is included in the calculation. This type of organized system gives colleges a consistent method to compare applicants from different high schools, even when their individual grading practices vary.

Most four-year colleges rely on GPA as an early screening tool to evaluate academic readiness, especially when they are reviewing large pools of applicants. A higher GPA often signals the student has put in academic effort and this can improve your chances of admission, scholarships, or placement in honors programs. A lower GPA doesn’t automatically disqualify applicants, but it usually prompts admissions officers to look more closely into students’ other strengths such as their accompanying essays, extracurricular involvement, or standardized test scores.

Maintaining a strong GPA during college is also important for your postgraduate opportunities. Graduate programs, fellowships, and merit-based scholarships will often use GPA as one of their key evaluation criteria for admission and future success in the program.

Context in 2025: Educators and policymakers have raised concerns about grade inflation, especially at more selective institutions, which can make GPAs less reliable as the sole indicator of a student’s readiness for college. As a result of this, many admissions teams are adopting more holistic approaches to admissions that weigh GPA along with course rigor, personal statements, and other skills that they highlight in their application.¹

Is It Easy to Find Universities That Don’t Require GPA Scores?

In 2025, it’s more accessible than ever to find colleges that don’t enforce a minimum GPA requirement. While exact numbers will vary based on admissions policies, many institutions, particularly open‑access schools and schools with more holistic review processes, will offer flexibility in their proposed GPA requirements. For four‑year universities, this trend has accelerated along with a more widespread adoption of test‑optional and test‑blind policies.² Open‑admissions community colleges and less selective institutions will often require only a high school diploma or GED for their admission, not a students GPA, which makes college more widely accessible regardless of your academic record.

How to Get Into a College That Doesn’t Require GPA Scores

Not having a required GPA doesn’t mean that your admission to the school will be automatic. In 2025, many colleges, especially community colleges, online universities, and competency-based programs, have chosen to evaluate applicants based on other factors to gauge college readiness. Depending on the school, you may need to provide:

• Personal statement or essay that explains your goals and motivation
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or employers
• Official high school transcript or GED documentation
• Proof of skills or prior experience, sometimes through a portfolio, volunteer experience, or work record (i.e., resume)
• Placement exams or standardized tests (optional at some schools, required at others)

Which Colleges Don’t Require a Minimum GPA for Admissions?

In 2025, certain U.S. colleges don’t enforce a minimum high school GPA. Instead, these schools will focus on items like proof of graduation (through your diploma), written essays, and volunteer or work experience. Below is a list of examples of schools that don’t require GPA with their current admissions expectations.

Best Colleges That Don’t Require GPA Scores

If your GPA is lower than the typical cutoff, you still have options. Several U.S. colleges and universities admit students without a minimum GPA, focusing instead on factors like transcripts, essays, recommendations, or proof of high school graduation. Below are notable examples for 2025.

Regis University

Regis University, a Jesuit institution in Denver, offers undergraduate admissions without a set GPA minimum. Applicants can submit standardized test scores, but admissions decisions are based more on transcripts, essays, and recommendations than on numbers.

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University offers programs in business, nursing, criminal justice, information technology, and more. There is no GPA requirement or test score submission, though applicants must provide proof of high school graduation or GED.

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university, allows students without standardized test scores to apply. While the school may review GPA as part of its holistic process, it does not set a strict cutoff. Applicants typically submit transcripts and proof of graduation.

Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global provides flexible online and hybrid programs designed for working adults. Admission does not depend on GPA; applicants need to show proof of high school graduation and may be asked to complete an entrance exam or interview.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota admits first-year, transfer, and international students without requiring a GPA minimum or test scores. Applicants provide transcripts and may submit essays or additional documentation for holistic review.

Online Colleges That Don’t Require GPA Scores

For students balancing work, family, or other commitments, online colleges provide flexible pathways to a degree, and many of them do not set minimum GPA requirements.

American InterContinental University

American InterContinental University admits students without GPA thresholds. The application process involves submitting proof of high school completion and completing an application, often with an admissions advisor’s support.

Liberty University Online

Liberty University Online, one of the largest distance-learning institutions in the U.S., offers more than 700 online degree programs. Applicants must submit transcripts or proof of high school graduation, but GPA is not used as a cutoff for admission.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Southern New Hampshire University accepts applicants regardless of GPA. Students submit an application, transcripts, and an Electronic Attestation Form, making SNHU one of the most accessible accredited online schools.

Strayer University

Strayer University provides accredited online programs in fields like business administration, IT, and criminal justice. Admission requires proof of high school graduation, but GPA is not considered in the process.

University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus offers flexible online bachelor’s degree programs without a GPA minimum. Applicants must show proof of high school graduation or GED, meet English proficiency requirements, and have access to a computer with internet connectivity.

Should You Still Submit a GPA Score Even if It Is Not Required?

If a college doesn’t require GPA, submitting it is optional, but in some cases, it can work in your favor. In 2025, most open-access and test-optional schools will not weigh GPA heavily in their decision process. However, if you have strong grades, sharing them may strengthen your application or help with merit scholarships. If your GPA is lower, it’s usually better to highlight other factors such as essays, extracurricular achievements, or relevant work experience.

When to Submit Your GPA:

• Your GPA is strong (typically 3.5 or higher) and could support admission or scholarship eligibility
• GPA is the clearest way to show your high school academic performance (for example, if you have limited test scores or extracurriculars)

When Not to Submit Your GPA:

• Your GPA is below the school’s typical admitted range
• You can demonstrate readiness through other credentials, such as a GED, portfolio, interview, or professional experience

In short: submit your GPA if it enhances your application. Skip it if it could distract from other strengths or if the school’s admissions policy already emphasizes holistic or non-academic factors.

Should I Attend a College That Doesn’t Require GPA Scores?

Attending a college that doesn’t set a GPA minimum can be a smart option if your grades fall below the cutoff at more selective institutions. These schools often use holistic or open-admissions policies, meaning they consider factors beyond GPA such as essays, work experience, or personal goals. Choosing one of these colleges allows you to continue your education, build new skills, and eventually transfer to a more competitive program if that aligns with your goals.

In 2025, open-access pathways remain an important part of U.S. higher education. Community colleges, online universities, and certain private institutions make higher education accessible to students regardless of GPA, while still maintaining accreditation and recognized degree programs.

Colleges That Don’t Require GPA Score FAQ

Why are GPA scores used for admission into college?

Colleges use GPA as a standardized way to compare applicants’ academic performance across different high schools. GPA helps admissions officers quickly assess whether a student has met the baseline requirements for academic readiness. While most four-year institutions still review GPA, many schools now pair it with holistic factors such as essays, extracurriculars, or personal statements.

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What is considered a low GPA?

A GPA below 2.0 is generally considered low, since a 2.0 typically represents a “C” average. A GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 is often seen as below average but still passing, while a 3.0 or higher is usually considered strong. Keep in mind that expectations vary by institution and program.

Will my college look at my GPA?

If you apply to a college that requires GPA submission, admissions officers will review your transcript. Even after enrollment, colleges track your GPA to measure academic progress and determine eligibility for graduation, scholarships, or graduate school applications. At open-admissions or GPA-flexible institutions, your GPA may carry less weight but can still matter for academic standing once you’re enrolled.

What are some colleges that don’t require GPA scores?

Examples of accredited institutions that do not set a GPA minimum for admission include:
Colorado Technical University
Regis University (CO)
Purdue University Global
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
University of Arizona Global Campus
These schools typically ask for proof of high school graduation or GED and may also consider essays, recommendations, or work experience instead of GPA.

Sources:

1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/03/grade-inflation-why-not/ 
2. https://fairtest.org/overwhelming-majority-of-u-s-colleges-and-universities-remain-act-sat-optional-or-test-blind-score-free-for-fall-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com